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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

R. Cruz Begay, DrPH, Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15095, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5095, 928 523-6344, cruz.begay@nau.edu, Lorencita Martin, MPH, Hopi Women's Health Program, PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039, Charlotte Goodluck, MSW, PhD, Sociology and Social Work, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15300, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5300, and Kathryn Coe, PhD, University of Arizona, Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724-5024.

American Indian women have higher mortality rates for breast and cervical cancer than non Hispanic white women and a survey conducted in 1993 confirmed that Hopi women had low cancer screening rates. Subsequently the Hopi Women's Health Program implemented the CDC's Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. In the 1993 survey cultural factors associated with screening were based on questions about language use, utilization of traditional healers and participation in ceremonies. The study found that cultural factors did not appear to be strongly associated with breast cancer screening services. One of the objectives of the current project is to create an updated survey that can meet Hopi community research needs while also allowing the team to identify changes in health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that have occurred since 1993. Ascertaining what is meant by “traditional Hopi” has been a salient and important issue discussed in Hopi community meetings and with Tribal program staff while planning the survey. Focus group methodology was used to determine traditionalism as a specific response to cancer and cancer screening in three different age groups of Hopi women. Data from the focus groups is used in identifying the characteristics of Hopi women who would only use traditional medicine, would only use Western medicine, and the usefulness of identifying “traditional” Hopi as a distinct group. This information will be used in designing a new survey and in further research with the Hopi Tribe; it is pertinent in research involving cultural responses to disease.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Identify characteristics of Hopi women who only use traditional medicine
• 2.Discuss the implications of identifying cultural responses to disease
• 3.Understand the Hopi concept of “respect” in responding to disease

Keywords: American Indians, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No